As the lamps of Diwali light up homes across India, the country’s financial markets prepare for one of the most symbolic traditions in the investment world — Muhurat Trading.
The word muhurat denotes an auspicious time, one believed to bring good fortune and success. In the world of Indian finance, Muhurat Trading represents much more than a brief trading window; it symbolises optimism, renewal, and gratitude.
Blending Faith and Finance in Modern Markets
Originating in 1957 with the Bombay Stock Exchange and later adopted by the National Stock Exchange in 1992, this yearly ritual blends spiritual belief with market participation. Many traders begin the day with Lakshmi Pujan, seeking the goddess’s blessings for prosperity before placing their trades.
Muhurat Trading connects centuries-old traditions with the pulse of modern finance. Historically, stockbrokers would perform Chopda Pujan — the worship of their account books — on Diwali night, signifying a fresh start for the year ahead. Over time, this evolved into an organised trading event symbolising faith in growth and wealth creation. It sends a hopeful message: that sincerity, timing, and belief are vital not only in religion but also in investment.
For investors, the one-hour session marks more than mere stock price movement. It represents continuity, trust, and India’s cultural amalgamation of wealth and wisdom. Economically, it also carries a positive undertone.
History of Muhurat Trading Sessions
Historically, the Sensex has closed higher on 14 of the last 18 Muhurat sessions, reinforcing the festive optimism that surrounds the event. More precisely there were no negative closing from year 2018.
From 2018 onward, the average return during Muhurat trading sessions is approximately 0.4% to 0.65% per year on the Nifty 50 index. Specifically, in 2018, the Nifty closed about 0.65% higher during the Muhurat hour. Over the last decade, these sessions have averaged around a 0.53% return with an 80% probability of positive returns, demonstrating a strong positive bias despite the short trading window.
The returns tend to be modest but stable compared to regular trading hours. While the average return during Muhurat trading from 2018 has been around 0.53%, the festival’s trading session is more valuable for tradition and sentiment combined with relatively stable returns in a brief one-hour window of market activity
Timings, Sessions, and Investor Sentiment for 2025
This year, both NSE and BSE will hold the trading session from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM, a departure from the traditional evening slot. The pre-open session will run from 1:30 PM to 1:45 PM, while trade modifications are permitted until 2:55 PM.
Transactions will take place across all categories — equities, derivatives, commodities, and currencies. Despite lasting just an hour, this special trading period often sees enthusiastic participation, high volume, and an atmosphere charged with festive confidence.
A Tradition of Prosperity and Confidence
For traders and families alike, Muhurat Trading is a celebration — a financial festival of hope. Many investors prefer to purchase long-term quality stocks or blue-chip companies such as HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, SBI, or ITC, using the moment as a symbolic start to wealth creation.
However, the focus remains less on quick profit and more on setting a positive tone for the Samvat year ahead. Market analysts expect 2025’s session to carry bullish sentiment, reflecting India’s stable growth fundamentals, tax reforms, and strong retail participation.
In essence, Muhurat Trading 2025 is not just a market event but a cultural expression of gratitude and forward-thinking. It is a time when devotion meets discipline, and faith merges seamlessly with finance.
As traders log in on October 21 amidst the glow of Diyas and chants of prosperity, the moment stands as a reminder that in India, wealth has always been a blend of Karma, confidence, and auspicious timing.